Difference between revisions of "Rugby league" - New World Encyclopedia
Line 37: | Line 37: | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
− | An adult-level rugby | + | An adult-level rugby league match lasts for 80 minutes, consisting of two halves of 40 minutes each plus time added on for injury, and is controlled by a single referee, two touch judges, and in most professional matches, a television match official (TMO), commonly called the video referee. |
− | The object of the game is that each team of | + | The object of the game is that each team of thirteen players score as many points as possible; the team scoring the greater number of points is the winner of the match. |
− | Points may be scored by either scoring a try or a goal. A try is scored when the ball is grounded within the in-goal area and is worth | + | Points may be scored by either scoring a try or a goal. A try is scored when the ball is grounded within the in-goal area and is worth 4 points. A goal is scored by kicking the ball between the uprights and above the crossbar of the goal posts. There are 3 ways to score a goal: a drop goal (scored in open play where the ball must hit the ground immediately before it is kicked, i.e. a "drop kick"); a penalty goal (awarded after the opposing side infringes against the laws of rugby league and may be kicked from a stationary position on the ground or by a drop kick); or a conversion (awarded after a try has been scored) by either a drop kick or a place kick. A penalty or a conversion is worth 2 points and a dropped goal is worth 1 point. |
− | + | A rugby league pitch is 100 meters in length and 68 meters wide, not including the in-goal area. The length of the in-goal area can vary but must be between 6 meters and 11 meters in length. The goal posts are situated on the center of the goal line with the upright posts placed 5.5 meters apart and the crossbar is placed 3 meters above the ground in an 'H' shape. The overall height of the goal posts should be 3.4 meters.<ref>''The International Laws of the Game '' [http://www.rlif.org/laws/rugby_laws_book_2004_.pdf The Rugby League International Federation], Retrieved September 30, 2007. </ref> | |
− | A typical passage of rugby takes the following form: the team in possession of the ball moves the ball up the field in an effort to ground the ball over the opponents' goal line in order to score a try until such time as the ball carrier is tackled. | + | A typical passage of rugby league takes the following form: the team in possession of the ball moves the ball up the field in an effort to ground the ball over the opponents' goal line in order to score a try until such time as the ball carrier is tackled. A tackle is completed when the ball or the ball-carrying arm of the player has touched the ground and a tackler is touching him. Every time a player is tackled, all defenders, apart from a maximum of two markers, have to retreat 10 metres from the play-the-ball area. The defending side may advance when the ball is rolled back by the foot of the player in possession of the ball. If they move forward early, or don’t retire far enough back, the defending team is penalized. |
+ | After six tackles the ball must be handed over to the other team, so the team in possession of the ball will normally kick the ball downfield to gain better field position after the fifth tackle. This process repeats until one team makes a mistake that violates the Laws of the game, moves off the field of play or a try or goal is scored. | ||
− | + | The ball may be passed from one player to another as long as the ball does not travel forward. Rugby league is one of the few ball games where the ball cannot be passed forward. Any team mate nearer the opposition goal than the ball carrier is offside and out of the game, and must not interfere with play, meaning that American football-style blocking is forbidden. | |
− | + | If the ball goes into touch (out of the field of play), the game restarts with a scrum. A scrum is formed by the designated forwards binding together in three rows. The scrum then 'engages' with the opposition team so that the player's heads are interlocked with those of the other side's front row. The scrum half from the team that did not infringe then throws the ball into the tunnel created in the space between the two sets of front rowers' legs. Both teams may then try to compete for the ball by trying to hook the ball backwards with their feet. If the game stops due to an infringement, play restarts with either a scrum, free kick or penalty kick (depending on the severity of the infringement) to the non-infringing team. | |
− | + | The attacking team may score by kicking the ball between the posts and above the cross-bar. The ball may only be kicked from the ground: either from a place kick following the award of a penalty or from a drop kick in open play. A successful penalty kick is worth two points and a successful drop kick at goal is worth one point. | |
− | The attacking team may score by | + | The attacking team may also score by grounding the ball in the in-goal area. This is called a "try" and is worth four points. After scoring a try, the attacking team are awarded a free kick at goal, called a conversion, worth two points if successful, from a point directly in line with where the try was scored, and any distance away from the posts along that line. |
− | + | Tries are the main form of scoring, and the primary aim of most teams is to score tries. Drop goals and penalty kicks are usually augmenters, a safer option against a steadfast defense or to punish ill-disciplined opposition. On some (usually rare) occasions, a team may be awarded a penalty try, if their opponents commit a foul which is deemed by the referee to have illegally prevented a try, or if they have persistently stopped play close to the try line through foul play. | |
− | + | Player Positions and shirt numbers are as follows: | |
+ | BACKS | ||
Line 68: | Line 70: | ||
<table border=1 cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 width=40%> | <table border=1 cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 width=40%> | ||
<tr style=background:#efefef><th>Rugby league position (shirt numbers)</th></tr> | <tr style=background:#efefef><th>Rugby league position (shirt numbers)</th></tr> | ||
+ | <tr><td>'''BACKS'''</td></tr> | ||
+ | <tr><td>(1) Fullback </td></tr> | ||
+ | <tr><td>(2) Right Wing Threequarter</td></tr> | ||
+ | <tr><td>(3) Right Center Threequarter</td></tr> | ||
+ | <tr><td>(4) Left Center Threequarter</td></tr> | ||
+ | <tr><td>(5) Left Wing Threequarter</td></tr> | ||
+ | <tr><td>(6) Five-eighth</td></tr> | ||
+ | <tr><td>(7) Scrum Half or Halfback</td></tr> | ||
<tr><td>'''FORWARDS'''</td></tr> | <tr><td>'''FORWARDS'''</td></tr> | ||
− | <tr><td> | + | <tr><td>() Front Row Prop Forward</td></tr> |
− | <tr><td> | + | <tr><td>() Hooker</td></tr> |
− | <tr><td> | + | <tr><td>() Front Row Prop Forward</td></tr> |
− | <tr><td> | + | <tr><td>() Second Row Forward</td></tr> |
− | <tr><td> | + | <tr><td>() Second Row Forward</td></tr> |
− | + | <tr><td>() Lock Forward</td></tr> | |
− | <tr><td> | ||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
</table> | </table> | ||
</td> | </td> | ||
Line 92: | Line 98: | ||
===Backs=== | ===Backs=== | ||
The backs are generally smaller, faster and more agile than their forward counterparts. They are often the most creative and evasive players on the field, preferring fine kicking, passing or manoeuvring skills, tactics and/or set plays to break the defensive line instead of brute force. | The backs are generally smaller, faster and more agile than their forward counterparts. They are often the most creative and evasive players on the field, preferring fine kicking, passing or manoeuvring skills, tactics and/or set plays to break the defensive line instead of brute force. | ||
− | * The title of ''[[Rugby league positions#Full back|full back]]'' (numbered '''1''') comes from the full back's defensive position where the player drops out of the defensive line to cover the rear from kicks and runners breaking the line. They therefore usually are good ball catchers and clinical tacklers. In attack the full back will typically make runs into the attack or support a runner in anticipation of a pass out of the tackle. Full backs can play a role in attack similar to a half back or | + | * The title of ''[[Rugby league positions#Full back|full back]]'' (numbered '''1''') comes from the full back's defensive position where the player drops out of the defensive line to cover the rear from kicks and runners breaking the line. They therefore usually are good ball catchers and clinical tacklers. In attack the full back will typically make runs into the attack or support a runner in anticipation of a pass out of the tackle. Full backs can play a role in attack similar to a half back or Five-Eigth and the fact that the full back does not have to defend in the first defensive line means that a coach can keep a playmaker from the tackling responsibilities of the first line whilst allowing them to retain their attacking role. |
− | * The ''[[Rugby league positions#Wing three-quarters|wings]]'' or 'wing three quarters' (numbered '''2''' and '''5''') are normally the fastest players in a team and play on the far left and right fringes of the field (the wings). Their main task is to receive passes and score tries. The wingers also drop back on the last tackle to cover the left and right sides of the field for kicks while the full back covers the middle. | + | * The ''[[Rugby league positions#Wing three-quarters|wings]]'' or 'wing three quarters' (numbered '''2''' and '''5''') are normally the fastest players in a team and play on the far left and right fringes of the field (the wings). Their main task is to receive passes and score tries. The wingers also drop back on the last (fifth) tackle to cover the left and right sides of the field for kicks while the full back covers the middle. |
*The ''[[Rugby league positions#Centre|centres]]'' or 'centre three-quarters' (numbered '''3''' and '''4''') are positioned one in from the wings and together complete what is known as the three-quarter line. Usually the best mixture of power and vision, their main role is to try and create attacking opportunities for their team and defend those of the opposition. Along with the wingers, the centres score plenty of tries through out a season. | *The ''[[Rugby league positions#Centre|centres]]'' or 'centre three-quarters' (numbered '''3''' and '''4''') are positioned one in from the wings and together complete what is known as the three-quarter line. Usually the best mixture of power and vision, their main role is to try and create attacking opportunities for their team and defend those of the opposition. Along with the wingers, the centres score plenty of tries through out a season. | ||
*The ''Halves'': | *The ''Halves'': | ||
− | **The ''[[Rugby league positions#Stand-off|stand off]]'' or '5/8th' (numbered '''6''') is often the most skillful player and main tactical kicker in the game (usually this role -'playmaker' - is either the scrum half or stand off depending on the coach's preferences). In interaction between the 'playmaker' positions (scrum half, stand off, loose forward and hooker), the stand off will usually be involved in most passing moves. There is not much difference between the five-eighth and the half back; only that the half back usually receives the ball first. In the early years the half back gave the ball to the backs while the five eighth gave it to the forwards. The half back position is named after the role or location of the player with respect to the [[Scrum (rugby)|scrum]] during the scrum | + | **The ''[[Rugby league positions#Stand-off|stand off]]'' or '5/8th' (numbered '''6''') is often the most skillful player and main tactical kicker in the game (usually this role -'playmaker' - is either the scrum half or stand off depending on the coach's preferences). In interaction between the 'playmaker' positions (scrum half, stand off, loose forward and hooker), the stand off will usually be involved in most passing moves. There is not much difference between the five-eighth and the half back; only that the half back usually receives the ball first. In the early years the half back gave the ball to the backs while the five eighth gave it to the forwards. The half back position is named after the role or location of the player with respect to the [[Scrum (rugby)|scrum]] during the scrum. |
**The ''[[Rugby league positions#Scrum-half|scrum half]]'' or 'half back' (numbered '''7''') is the player who directs the game and is usually one of the smaller players on the pitch. The scrum half, along with the stand off together form the "creative unit" of the team. They will control the attack, deciding with their passes how the team attacks and if, when and where the ball is kicked. This player is also responsible for making sure all the other players are in the right position for an attacking move. | **The ''[[Rugby league positions#Scrum-half|scrum half]]'' or 'half back' (numbered '''7''') is the player who directs the game and is usually one of the smaller players on the pitch. The scrum half, along with the stand off together form the "creative unit" of the team. They will control the attack, deciding with their passes how the team attacks and if, when and where the ball is kicked. This player is also responsible for making sure all the other players are in the right position for an attacking move. | ||
===Forwards=== | ===Forwards=== | ||
− | The forwards 'two responsibilities can be broken into 'normal play' and 'scrum play'. | + | The forwards 'two responsibilities can be broken into 'normal play' and 'scrum play'. Forward positions are traditionally named after the player's position in the [[Scrum (rugby)|scrum]] yet are equal with respect to 'normal play' with the exception of the hooker. Forward positions are traditionally broken into: |
*Front row forwards: | *Front row forwards: | ||
** The ''[[Rugby league positions#Prop|props]]'' (numbered '''8''' and '''10''') are normally the largest players on field (they typically weigh over 15 stones (100 [[kg]]) in the open age/senior game). They are positioned in the centre of the line. The prop will be an 'enforcer', dissuading the opposition from attacking the centre of the defensive line and in attack give the team momentum by taking the ball up to the defence aggressively. | ** The ''[[Rugby league positions#Prop|props]]'' (numbered '''8''' and '''10''') are normally the largest players on field (they typically weigh over 15 stones (100 [[kg]]) in the open age/senior game). They are positioned in the centre of the line. The prop will be an 'enforcer', dissuading the opposition from attacking the centre of the defensive line and in attack give the team momentum by taking the ball up to the defence aggressively. |
Revision as of 01:51, 1 October 2007
General Information | ||
---|---|---|
Originated | 1895, Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England | |
World Governing Body | Rugby League International Federation | |
International Rugby League | ||
Test Nations | Australia · Cook Islands · England · Fiji · France · Great Britain · New Zealand · Papua New Guinea · Russia · Samoa · South Africa · Tonga | |
Major Competitions | The World Cup The Tri-Nations World Club Challenge The Ashes ANZAC Test Challenge Cup | |
Domestic Rugby League | ||
Major Competitions | National Rugby League (Australasia) Super League (Europe) State of Origin (Australia) French Rugby League Championship (France) Bartercard Cup (New Zealand) |
Rugby league football (usually shortened to rugby league, football, league) is a full-contact, outdoor sport played by two teams of 13 players each, with a oval ball on a rectangular grass field. It is one of the two main codes of rugby football, the other being rugby union. The code is most prominent in Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and France, where the sport is played professionally. In Papua New Guinea, rugby league is immensely popular and it is the only country where rugby league is the national sport. Rugby league is played to a lesser extent in several other countries, such as Russia, the United States, Samoa, South Africa, Tonga and Lebanon.
Rugby league takes its name from what was initially a breakaway faction of England's Rugby Football Union (RFU) known as the Northern Union when established in 1895. Both unions played rugby football under the same rules at first, until similar breakaway factions occurred from RFU-affiliated Rugby Unions in Australia and New Zealand in 1907 and 1908, and formed associations known as Rugby Football Leagues, introducing modified Northern Union rules to create a new form of rugby football. The Northern Union later changed its name to the Rugby Football League and thus, over time the sport itself became known as "rugby league". Over the following decades, the rules of both forms of rugby were gradually changed, and now rugby league and rugby union are distinctly different sports.
Worldwide the sport is governed by the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF). They are responsible for organising international competitions, including the World Cup and Tri-Nations, as well as determining and overseeing the laws of the game and co-ordinating international development. The federation was founded in 1948 at a meeting in Bordeaux, France.[1]
Overview
An adult-level rugby league match lasts for 80 minutes, consisting of two halves of 40 minutes each plus time added on for injury, and is controlled by a single referee, two touch judges, and in most professional matches, a television match official (TMO), commonly called the video referee.
The object of the game is that each team of thirteen players score as many points as possible; the team scoring the greater number of points is the winner of the match.
Points may be scored by either scoring a try or a goal. A try is scored when the ball is grounded within the in-goal area and is worth 4 points. A goal is scored by kicking the ball between the uprights and above the crossbar of the goal posts. There are 3 ways to score a goal: a drop goal (scored in open play where the ball must hit the ground immediately before it is kicked, i.e. a "drop kick"); a penalty goal (awarded after the opposing side infringes against the laws of rugby league and may be kicked from a stationary position on the ground or by a drop kick); or a conversion (awarded after a try has been scored) by either a drop kick or a place kick. A penalty or a conversion is worth 2 points and a dropped goal is worth 1 point.
A rugby league pitch is 100 meters in length and 68 meters wide, not including the in-goal area. The length of the in-goal area can vary but must be between 6 meters and 11 meters in length. The goal posts are situated on the center of the goal line with the upright posts placed 5.5 meters apart and the crossbar is placed 3 meters above the ground in an 'H' shape. The overall height of the goal posts should be 3.4 meters.[2]
A typical passage of rugby league takes the following form: the team in possession of the ball moves the ball up the field in an effort to ground the ball over the opponents' goal line in order to score a try until such time as the ball carrier is tackled. A tackle is completed when the ball or the ball-carrying arm of the player has touched the ground and a tackler is touching him. Every time a player is tackled, all defenders, apart from a maximum of two markers, have to retreat 10 metres from the play-the-ball area. The defending side may advance when the ball is rolled back by the foot of the player in possession of the ball. If they move forward early, or don’t retire far enough back, the defending team is penalized.
After six tackles the ball must be handed over to the other team, so the team in possession of the ball will normally kick the ball downfield to gain better field position after the fifth tackle. This process repeats until one team makes a mistake that violates the Laws of the game, moves off the field of play or a try or goal is scored.
The ball may be passed from one player to another as long as the ball does not travel forward. Rugby league is one of the few ball games where the ball cannot be passed forward. Any team mate nearer the opposition goal than the ball carrier is offside and out of the game, and must not interfere with play, meaning that American football-style blocking is forbidden.
If the ball goes into touch (out of the field of play), the game restarts with a scrum. A scrum is formed by the designated forwards binding together in three rows. The scrum then 'engages' with the opposition team so that the player's heads are interlocked with those of the other side's front row. The scrum half from the team that did not infringe then throws the ball into the tunnel created in the space between the two sets of front rowers' legs. Both teams may then try to compete for the ball by trying to hook the ball backwards with their feet. If the game stops due to an infringement, play restarts with either a scrum, free kick or penalty kick (depending on the severity of the infringement) to the non-infringing team.
The attacking team may score by kicking the ball between the posts and above the cross-bar. The ball may only be kicked from the ground: either from a place kick following the award of a penalty or from a drop kick in open play. A successful penalty kick is worth two points and a successful drop kick at goal is worth one point.
The attacking team may also score by grounding the ball in the in-goal area. This is called a "try" and is worth four points. After scoring a try, the attacking team are awarded a free kick at goal, called a conversion, worth two points if successful, from a point directly in line with where the try was scored, and any distance away from the posts along that line.
Tries are the main form of scoring, and the primary aim of most teams is to score tries. Drop goals and penalty kicks are usually augmenters, a safer option against a steadfast defense or to punish ill-disciplined opposition. On some (usually rare) occasions, a team may be awarded a penalty try, if their opponents commit a foul which is deemed by the referee to have illegally prevented a try, or if they have persistently stopped play close to the try line through foul play.
Player Positions and shirt numbers are as follows: BACKS
|
Players
Players on field are divided into forwards and backs. Each position has a designated number, 1 to 13. Numbers 14 to 17 are given to players starting on the bench, who will come into the game as substitutes for other players who are injured, in need of a rest, or less suited to the coach's strategy for that particular phase of the game. Typically the bench is comprised of three forward substitutes and a hooker/halves substitute.
Backs
The backs are generally smaller, faster and more agile than their forward counterparts. They are often the most creative and evasive players on the field, preferring fine kicking, passing or manoeuvring skills, tactics and/or set plays to break the defensive line instead of brute force.
- The title of full back (numbered 1) comes from the full back's defensive position where the player drops out of the defensive line to cover the rear from kicks and runners breaking the line. They therefore usually are good ball catchers and clinical tacklers. In attack the full back will typically make runs into the attack or support a runner in anticipation of a pass out of the tackle. Full backs can play a role in attack similar to a half back or Five-Eigth and the fact that the full back does not have to defend in the first defensive line means that a coach can keep a playmaker from the tackling responsibilities of the first line whilst allowing them to retain their attacking role.
- The wings or 'wing three quarters' (numbered 2 and 5) are normally the fastest players in a team and play on the far left and right fringes of the field (the wings). Their main task is to receive passes and score tries. The wingers also drop back on the last (fifth) tackle to cover the left and right sides of the field for kicks while the full back covers the middle.
- The centres or 'centre three-quarters' (numbered 3 and 4) are positioned one in from the wings and together complete what is known as the three-quarter line. Usually the best mixture of power and vision, their main role is to try and create attacking opportunities for their team and defend those of the opposition. Along with the wingers, the centres score plenty of tries through out a season.
- The Halves:
- The stand off or '5/8th' (numbered 6) is often the most skillful player and main tactical kicker in the game (usually this role -'playmaker' - is either the scrum half or stand off depending on the coach's preferences). In interaction between the 'playmaker' positions (scrum half, stand off, loose forward and hooker), the stand off will usually be involved in most passing moves. There is not much difference between the five-eighth and the half back; only that the half back usually receives the ball first. In the early years the half back gave the ball to the backs while the five eighth gave it to the forwards. The half back position is named after the role or location of the player with respect to the scrum during the scrum.
- The scrum half or 'half back' (numbered 7) is the player who directs the game and is usually one of the smaller players on the pitch. The scrum half, along with the stand off together form the "creative unit" of the team. They will control the attack, deciding with their passes how the team attacks and if, when and where the ball is kicked. This player is also responsible for making sure all the other players are in the right position for an attacking move.
Forwards
The forwards 'two responsibilities can be broken into 'normal play' and 'scrum play'. Forward positions are traditionally named after the player's position in the scrum yet are equal with respect to 'normal play' with the exception of the hooker. Forward positions are traditionally broken into:
- Front row forwards:
- The props (numbered 8 and 10) are normally the largest players on field (they typically weigh over 15 stones (100 kg) in the open age/senior game). They are positioned in the centre of the line. The prop will be an 'enforcer', dissuading the opposition from attacking the centre of the defensive line and in attack give the team momentum by taking the ball up to the defence aggressively.
- The hooker (numbered 9) is most likely to play the role of dummy-half. In defence the hooker usually defends in the middle of the line against the opposition's props and second-rowers. The hooker will be responsible for organising the defence in the middle of the field. In attack as dummy-half this player is responsible for starting the play from every play-the-ball by either passing the ball to the right player, or, at opportune moments, running from dummy-half. It is vital that the hooker can pass very well. Traditionally, hookers 'hooked' the ball in the scrum. Hookers also make probably more tackles than any other player on the field. The hooker is always involved in the play and needs to be very fit. He needs to have a very good knowledge of the game and the players around him.
- The second row forwards (numbered 11 and 12) The modern day second row is very similar to a centre and is expected to be faster, more mobile and have more skills than the prop and will play amongst the three-quarters, providing strength in attack and defence when the ball is passed out to the wings. Good second-rowers combine the skills and responsibilities of props and centres in the course of the game.
- The loose forward (numbered 13) is the only forward in the third (last) row of the scrum. They are usually the fittest players on the field, covering the entire field on both attacking and defending duties. Typically they are big ball-runners who can occasionally slot in as a passing link or kick option; it is not uncommon for loose forwards to have the skills of a five eighth and to play a similar role in the team.
Equipment
History
Roots can be traced to early football history, through the playing of ball games which bear little resemblance to modern sports. It is then important to acknowledge the development of the modern codes and two separate schisms in football history.
In 19th century England, football was most prominently played in private schools. Each school had its own rules based on whatever playing field that was available to them. The rules could be categorised as either handling or kicking forms of football. The kicking and handling forms were later codified by The Football Association and the Rugby Football Union (RFU) respectively. Rugby football, as is widely known, had its main origins at Rugby School, Warwickshire, England.
In 1895 rugby football was later beset with a schism that resulted in the formation of the Northern Rugby Football Union (NRFU). Although many factors played a part in the split, including the success of working class northern teams, the main division was caused by the RFU decision to enforce the amateur principle of the sport, preventing 'broken time payments' to players who had taken time off work to play rugby. Northern teams typically had more working class players (coal miners, mill workers etc) who could not afford to play without this compensation, in contrast to southern teams who had "other" sources of income to sustain the amateur way. There were similar movements in other countries. In 1895 a decree by the RFU banning the playing of rugby on pitches where entrance fees were charged led to the famous meeting on 29 August 1895. Twenty-one clubs (plus Stockport who negotiated by telephone) met at The George Hotel in Huddersfield, West Riding of Yorkshire and formed the Northern Rugby Union. Within fifteen years, more than 200 RFU clubs had left to join the rugby revolution.
In 1906 the Northern Union made changes to the laws. The Northern Union adopted the name 'Rugby League' in 1922 and the sport became known as 'Rugby League Football' or 'rugby league'.
Rugby league worldwide
Rugby league is played in more than 30 countries, though it is most commonly played in the United Kingdom (predominantly northern England), Australia and New Zealand. Australia, where it is a winter sport, but new foundations in the sport have brought rugby league to a summer game in the UK, is generally thought to be the strongest of the three. Rugby league is most popular in England, Australia, New Zealand, France and it is recognised as the national sport in Papua New Guinea.
Australia have won every world cup since 1975. Until November 25, 2005, they had also not lost an international tournament or series of any kind for twenty seven years until they lost to New Zealand in the final of the 2005 Tri-Nations Series at Elland Road in Leeds.
In the United Kingdom, rugby league has traditionally struggled to become accepted outside of the "heartland" towns of northern England where the game originated (Lancashire, Yorkshire and Cumberland). The balance is changing with the advent of Super League on Sky Sports. The Super League's expansion policy helped to establish a team in London, Harlequins RL.
The game is also attempting expansion in Europe. Despite having had many strong teams historically, rugby à treize in France has struggled to compete with rugby union since the Vichy government banned the sport and illegally seized all their assets during World War Two. However the French reached the finals of the 1954 and 1968 rugby league world cups. In 2006, the Super League admitted the Catalans Dragons, who on July 29, 2007, made it to the Challenge Cup final, being the first non-English team to do so.
Early 21st century developments have seen Georgia, Netherlands, Germany, Estonia, Malta, Serbia, Argentina, Jamaica, Samoa, Tonga and others take part in international rugby league tournaments or matches.
The Rugby League world cup has become more popular with the emergence of the tri-nations consisting of Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand.
Major Tournaments
International
Rugby league | |
---|---|
The World Cup Trophy, which has been awarded to the world champions since 1954. | |
Sport | Rugby league |
Founded | 1954 |
No. of teams | 16 (Finals) |
Continent | International (Rugby League International Federation) |
Most recent champion(s) | Australia |
Year | Host | Winner | Final Score | Runner-up | Final venue | Final crowd |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1954 | France | Great Britain |
16 - 12 | France |
Parc des Princes, Paris | 30,368 |
1957 | Australia | Australia |
- | Great Britain |
Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney | 30,675 |
1960 | United Kingdom | Great Britain |
10 - 3 | Australia |
Odsal Stadium, Bradford | 32,733 |
1968 | Australia New Zealand |
Australia |
20 - 2 | France |
Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney | 54,290 |
1970 | United Kingdom | Australia |
12 - 7 | Great Britain |
Headingley, Leeds | 18,776 |
1972 | France | Great Britain |
10 - 10 | Australia |
Stade de Gerland, Lyon | 4,500 |
1975 | Worldwide | Australia |
25 - 0 | England |
Headingley, Leeds | 7,727 |
1977 | Australia New Zealand |
Australia |
13 - 12 | Great Britain |
Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney | 24,457 |
1985-1988 | Worldwide | Australia |
25 - 12 | New Zealand |
Eden Park, Auckland | 47,363 |
1989-1992 | Worldwide | Australia |
10 - 6 | Great Britain |
Wembley Stadium, London | 73,631 |
1995 | United Kingdom | Australia |
16 - 8 | England |
Wembley Stadium, London | 66,540 |
2000 | United Kingdom | Australia |
40 - 12 | New Zealand |
Old Trafford, Manchester | 44,329 |
2008 | Australia | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | ||||
2013 |
Domestic
In addition to the Rugby League World Cup, the major Rugby League playing nations also support strong domestic club competitions. These domestic competions include National Rugby League (Australasia), Super League (Europe), the French Rugby League Championship (France) and the Bartercard Cup (New Zealand).
In Australia, Queensland and New South Wales, also host an annual State of Origin series.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- ↑ Rugby League International Federation Rugby League International Federation, Retrieved September 30, 2007.
- ↑ The International Laws of the Game The Rugby League International Federation, Retrieved September 30, 2007.
External links
- lasttackle.com
- Last Tackle Forums
- FOXSPORTS.com.au | Rugby League
- The World of Rugby League
- Official site of Rugby League Review publication
- Rugby League at rlef.eu.com
- The Greatest Era of the Greatest Game of all
- Rugby Football League
- Official site of premier Australasian league - National Rugby League
- Official site of premier European league - Super League
- Rugby League Football - RLFootball.com
- REDIRECT Template:International Rugby League
Credits
New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here:
The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia:
Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed.